First and foremost, thank you all so much for taking the time to adress yet another crazy rambling about how hard my life is (and so on and so forth). I realize that all my symptoms, more or less, could be atributed to anxiety. Iīve had numerous GPs looking in to all and everyone of my symptoms (as well as Dr specializing in Psych.) and they all come to the conclusion that my symptoms fit the profile for "complex anxiolytic symptoms" (I think thatīs what they called it at least). But I have been sooooo focused on my face latelly, and I know for certain that I have started to droop somewhat in my right corner of the mouth. On top of that I have the characteristic development of dents in my upper cheek muscle (in face). These dents has not been there before.

On top of that I have developed what must be weakness. I say must since it is noticeable, in my face that is. It feels as if I have a crooked smile now, and I constantly get saliva in the right corner of my mouth (as if the lip isnīt as "tight" as it used to be). My smile also tends to go higher up on my left facial half, before itīs been the other way around.

I know anxiety could acount for most of my symptoms (the speech, twitching and so on) but surely it canīt cause dents in muscles and weakness in one half of the face?

On the other hand, I realize that the paradox here is that I in my own HA-opinion show tell-tale signs of ALS. BUT, I show tell-tale signs of all three types of ALS, and that canīt be it. As far as I know, you either get one or the other (initially at least).

So my question is; could I have such an insanely intense focus on my face/throat that I actually cause most of the symptoms on my own? Can HA/GAD/Depression/OCD and all that realy mess with my perception of things, and make me see things that might not be there (I.e. denting that could have been there all along) and bring forth new symptoms on a daily basis?

Surely, not even ALS would progress so quickly as this has done (I.e. new symptoms every single day)?

Brother, my mind has created just about anything I read about or worry about. Our minds are VERY powerful and can create symptoms at will. I know this as fact.

Rasal, I could have written your post. All of you speech symptoms are exactly what I have been experiencing lately. It has been very frightening and I find myself speaking less and less because it is so obvious that I am slurring and messing all my words up, both in pronouncing and getting the right word out. I am familiar with bulbar ALS and that is what I am afraid I have. Or dementia. Neither one is something I want.

Have you taken any of the on-line ALS tests? This has helped me. I can pretty much pass them. I think even if you have the bulbar type you would still have problems with the tests such as walking on your heels. Your doctors have assured you that you are fine, so take rest in that. The mind can do very powerful things. I think the trick is to somehow get it to do powerfully posititve things rather than powerfully negative things.

The mind is indeed a powerful tool, and you can (subconsciously of course) manifest disease symptoms! A while back I was certain I had a certain type of cancer, and began to develop physical symptoms! You are probably so eager to speak clearly that your anxiety levels go off the charts, causing you to stumble and stammer over your words (think of a nervous young actor in a school play, blowing his one simple line). As I told someone earlier, I've had twitching and swallowing issues for 17 years...I'm still alive and work full time, maintain a house, and am basically healthy for 49! I would recommend an aantianxiety med, and you'll probably see a vast improvement. Hugs and blessings to you :)

Sorry everyone. I am a logical person, and I have a hard time with emotion. Even at work, and in my relationship, I have to be told how to speak less matter-of-fact.

The reason I came on this site was in hopes that my years of research can help others in their fights against their own anxieties. Where I say it's best to get checked out, it really does help to get peace of mind. It may be hard to go to the doctor and ask them to test you, but when it's over, and you find that every test was normal, a weight will be lifted that cannot be lifted simply by research and support. I know that may sound cold, but peace of mind is a wonderful thing.

I often look at myself and notice that I see things that may have always been there, but I think they are surely a sign of my impending demise. Under days of higher anxiety, I sometimes have a hard time moving certain parts of my body. For me, they are my arms. For you, it may be facial movements.

Sorry everyone. I am a logical person, and I have a hard time with emotion. Even at work, and in my relationship, I have to be told how to speak less matter-of-fact.

The reason I came on this site was in hopes that my years of research can help others in their fights against their own anxieties. Where I say it's best to get checked out, it really does help to get peace of mind. It may be hard to go to the doctor and ask them to test you, but when it's over, and you find that every test was normal, a weight will be lifted that cannot be lifted simply by research and support. I know that may sound cold, but peace of mind is a wonderful thing.

I often look at myself and notice that I see things that may have always been there, but I think they are surely a sign of my impending demise. Under days of higher anxiety, I sometimes have a hard time moving certain parts of my body. For me, they are my arms. For you, it may be facial movements.

I understand that understanding social cues and the ability to deliver a message without instilling panic doesn't come naturally to everyone. Telling stories about how other suffered with a horrific and heart breaking illness is probably not good judgment in this arena. I however agree about getting checked out.